A second chance for employees

Waste management company Avalex launched the ‘Winning’ project with partners in late 2023 to save well-functioning items from the waste mountain. For this, they were looking for two new employees. These became Theo Christodoulou and Agus Sotedjo. Both did not think they would ever work with waste, but are happily surprised with their new jobs.

In two containers, Theo and Agus collect second-hand items that can still be put to good use. One container is for wood, the other for anything that is not broken. ‘We speak to people who want to dispose of their stuff at Avalex. Before they drive in, we ask whether they also have things that are not broken and might deserve a second chance,’ Theo explains. ‘We then assess whether the items are good enough to take in.’

Radios, televisions and boxes full of books
All sorts of things are brought in:‘Clothes, televisions, radios, antiques and we get an awful lot of good books,’ says Theo. ‘From writers like Dostojewski and the other day Multatuli was among them. Once, too, five boxes of historical books from Delft University of Technology were brought in. I would love to read all those books, but of course I can’t. After all, I’m at work.’ Theo – of Greek origin – lost his job during corona. When his benefits stopped, he ended up at Werkse! ‘It was a difficult time. I was in divorce with my wife and got depressed. At Werkse! I followed various programmes to find out where my strengths lay. Then they offered me this job.’

At first, Theo didn’t really know what the job entailed. ‘I wouldn’t have chosen this myself, but wanted to try it. I must say that I like it more than I expected. I meet a lot of new people and find it interesting to see what stuff we can still save from the trash. I feel much happier since doing this work.’ The most unusual product he has come across is a telescope. ‘In the Netherlands it’s actually too light, but in Greece you can very well see all the stars with it. I think it’s special that we can give things like this a second chance.’

Making people aware of waste
Agus also finds it interesting to save waste and make people aware of their behaviour. ‘I think young people throw things away more easily than older people. We have been brought up with thrift more anyway. It’s good to make people aware of that again.’ Agus worked in the greenhouses until 2015, but lost his job after a reorganisation. ‘Because I was a bit older even then, I did not manage to find a new job. I applied everywhere for three years but was not hired anywhere. Then I went back to Indonesia, where I am from, to share my knowledge about greenhouses there. I was temporarily in the Netherlands when corona broke out and I couldn’t go back to Indonesia for two and a half years, so the project stopped. Then my wife fell ill and I became a carer. When she passed away in July 2023, I ended up at Werkse!

He likes the work at Avalex, but he would like to continue growing. ‘I hope that one day I can advise people about waste, or join the collection service. That seems like great work. This job is also fun, but it is the easiest work I have ever done.’ Agus advises other jobseekers to just start. ‘Don’t be afraid, you learn by doing. If you have the drive to work, things will work themselves out.’

More information on the Winning project:
Recycling containers environmental street Delft officially opened – Avalex